Kristin Vandeven

Kristin attended the United States Military Academy, where she graduated with honors in 2019 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Russian Language. Eager to immerse herself in diverse cultural experiences, Kristin spent a semester in Kiev, Ukraine, where she studied at the Nova Mova language school. As part of this program, she traveled throughout Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia and The Republic of Georgia studying how identity and politics have developed in the region since the collapse of the USSR. Further expanding her global perspective, during her senior year Kristin participated in a NATO Cadet exchange program, where she collaborated with a cohort of NATO cadets at the National Defense Academy of Latvia.

During her tenure at West Point, Kristin distinguished herself as a multifaceted individual, balancing her academic pursuits with active involvement in the Judo and Powerlifting teams, competing in multiple national-level competitions in both. Post-graduation, she dedicated five impactful years as an active-duty army field artillery officer earning the rank of captain. She was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado and deployed to Iraq in 2021-2022. In Iraq, Kristin honed her leadership skills and fostered relationships with a diverse array of soldiers from the United States, Iraq, Norway, Poland, Spain, Germany, and Italy, embodying the spirit of international cooperation.

Beyond her military service, Kristin exemplified her commitment to serving her community by volunteering as a court-appointed advocate for child victims of abuse and neglect in El Paso County, CO. Driven by a profound interest in international studies, Kristin is eager to embark on new academic pursuits that further enrich her understanding of global dynamics and diplomacy. In her leisure time, Kristin enjoys hiking, skiing, and traveling which fuel her passion for exploration and discovery.